The Brothers Don't

Big Macintosh twitched in his cot.

"Is it true, Big Mac?" Apple Bloom asked, barreling through the front door. Her face was strained, terrified. "Did you get the letter, too?"

Macintosh tapped the envelope on the kitchen table. "Eeyup," he said.

Applejack hugged him from the side as tears welled in Granny Smith's eyes.

"No, no! Not you, too!" Apple Bloom galloped across the room and threw her forelegs around his middle. "The whole school's talking about it. Rumble's big brother got drafted last week with Caramel and Mister Cake. Diamond Tiara's daddy got his letter this morning, and I... I was hopin' you hadn't..." She broke down in tears.

"Line up, Team Harmony!" Shining Armor yelled. Big Macintosh heard his voice, distant and muffled. "Twenty five dogs for each of us. Who's hungry?"

"I thought they didn't resort to draftin' farmers 'til things got real bad," Applejack said.

"They don't," said Granny Smith. "The war must be worse than we thought."

Applejack sighed. "Well, then, I guess it's about time I headed up north as well."

"No, Applejack!" Apple Bloom yelled. "You can't do that to us!"

"I'm doing it for you, Apple Bloom," she said, pulling her little sister into a hug. "This is Equestria's worst threat yet. I know Celestia wanted us to stay out of it, but... doggone it, I can't rightly stay here and grow apples while ponies are dyin' every day, can I?"

"This is a different kinda war than you've ever fought, little Sis," Big Mac said to Applejack. His tone was low and grave. "I understand how you feel, but... it might be best for you to stay home with your friends."

"What?" Applejack blinked.

"What if we lost you?" Macintosh whispered. His green eyes shone. "Do you realize what would happen to Equestria, let alone our little family?"

"They're eyeing him," Shining Armor shouted over the swelling howls. "Protect Macintosh at all costs!"

Applejack frowned. "And you think Equestria would suffer any less if they lost you?" she asked her brother. "We don't want you to go to war, Macky. But you don't have a choice no more. And neither do I."

"Shield dropping in three—"

Apple Bloom sobbed. They held her between them.

"—two—"

Granny Smith kissed Macintosh on the cheek. "Come back to us, Macky. I can't lose another Apple stallion."

"—one—"

Macintosh nodded. "I'll come home."

"Now!"